Main focus was the disappointment and frustrating implications that will arise from the igb moving our Wednesday nights SIS meeting to Friday nights...which will only deliver negatives

* This will prevent benefit nights therefore will lead to reduction in attendance and reduced revenue
* The earlier time on a Friday evening is guaranteed to be economic suicide to restaurant bookings (again big loss of revenue) ...it's simply too early to attract bookings ...folk have no time to return from work get prepared for a night out to be sitting down for 6.30
The concern is that this reckless decision is certain to further damage the accounts of Corks grade 1 venue for 2020
Further concerns was that the IGB are reducing cork to 2 nights racing 1 for the bookies (SIS protocol on Friday) which will leave the Saturday racing program consumed for novice /pups racing and to qualify greyhounds to become eligible for the SIS meeting this results in poor racing, poor variety ( reduced stakes over varying distances / hurdles) it's simply poor viewing on a Saturday night at Curraheen park a grade 1 venue ...the gate attendance and atmosphere again will suffer in result.
This is also likely to frustrate owners out of our sport as they left to wait weeks to get a race. directly restricting income because of a large dog pool to rotate over 2 nights. alternatively, owners are forced to travel to other venues bypassing our grade 1 local track.... these spiralling traveling costs makes it unattractive & financially unsustainable for Greyhound owners. We note a 3.4 million allocations to welfare but Zero increase in prizemoney for 2020 while all owner breeder incentives were withdrawn...it really is a further blow to owners and breeders who depend on income from prize money and incentives to provide the proper care for their Greyhounds to high standards without shortcuts.

Cork GOBA want the IGB to inform us when the 3 nights racing will be returned to Curraheen park ASAP....Cork owners and breeders are very disappointed that chairman Frank Nyhan Failed to honour his pledged commitment last July to return to Curraheen park late September early October for a meeting to address grass route concerns " the life blood of our industry"

Cork GOBA would request the federation to seek pups novice racing to revert to the previous system that worked much better delivering fair grading for Novice open & 1 2 3 grades. Reasons previously highlighted

Cork GOBA discussed conditions of the injury fund/ scheme and are angered to learn bitches who contribute to welfare through prize money will not be eligible if owner intends on breeding ...we feel the Scheme conditions are satisfied if the Greyhound is to be retired from competitive Action (trials or racing) we would ask the federation push this matter as it's highly unsatisfactory

Cork GOBA held a vote of confidence in IGB who makes repeated reckless economic and operating decisions unaware / without knowledge of the implications which directly force good passionate owners out of our sport. This vote Result returned a unanimous vote of no confidence in the present CEO & IGB who are evidently not capable of delivering its primary duty to promote and grow our industry.
Cork GOBA fully support committees of Youghal, Enniscorthy, Lifford and Longford in their efforts to retain funding to secure racing into 2020 and beyond
Cork Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association.

Personally i wouldn't wait for next year Kieran, both the CEO & Chairman are not fit for purpose and if they are left in their positions they will run this industry down to a handful of tracks, we need to have them removed asap IMHO.